YouTube has introduced Collections and Affiliate Hub among new Shopping features to increase creator earnings and enhance shopping experiences. In 2023, over 30 billion hours were spent watching shopping videos on the platform.
YouTube is transforming its platform into a shopping haven with its latest updates, including the Shopping Collection and Affiliate Hub. These features aim to capitalize on the substantial 30 billion hours of shopping-related content viewed in 2023. With a 25% increase in watch time for shopping aid videos, YouTube's strategy focuses on enhancing user and creator engagement by integrating shopping directly into the video experience.
The new Shopping Collections feature allows creators to curate products from favorite brands or their own merchandise within their videos. Accessible via the Studio app on mobile devices, and soon on desktop, this feature lets creators set up virtual stores, presenting their products in the Store tab and video descriptions, potentially boosting their earnings significantly.
The Affiliate Hub, accessible directly through the YouTube app, offers creators a central spot to manage partnerships with brands, access promotional codes, and even request product samples. This tool is designed to streamline the creation of shoppable content, making it easier for creators to find and promote products that resonate with their audience.
Last year's update allowed affiliate shopping creators to tag products in bulk across videos. This feature has now been expanded to all Shopping creators, enabling them to tag any merchandise across their video libraries. This enhancement not only simplifies the process but also helps maximize earnings from older, still-popular content.
Will YouTube's new features change how you shop online?
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